Medicinal and Nutritional Importance of C. decidua (Forssk.) Edgew. (Capparaceae): A Review

C. decidua, (Kair) is a densely branching shrub or small tree found growing naturally in arid and semi-arid areas of India. In Rajasthan, it occurs both on sandy and gravelly soils covered with sand dunes. C. decidua, climbing up to 6 meters in height, is widely used in traditional medicinal system of India. According to the Unani system of medicine the plant has been used as a carminative, tonic, emmenagogue, aphrodisiac, alexipharmic, improves the appetite, good for rheumatism, lumbago, hiccough, cough and asthma. Medicinally, young roots of the plants are applied to cure boils and swelling, the bark is said to be useful in asthma. The plant and fruit of C. decidua also have high nutritional value. It is also known as a rich source of alkaloids, phenols, sterols and glycosides. C. decidua (Kair) has proven to be an economically important plant in Rajasthan and elsewhere. It provides varied food and medicinal uses. The high nutritional value and traditional food and folk medicinal uses of C. deciduas is well known, it is essential to summarize a comprehensive review on related aspects of C. decidua plant. Therefore, the present review manuscript focuses on the detailed profile of valuable nutrients and biochemical compounds as well as medicinal health functions. An effort is made to review various studies on C. decidua to assess its nutritional as well as medicinal importance. Furthermore scientific validation for previous investigations is still required.